Ajwain, also known as carom seeds, are a popular spice used in Indian cuisine. They have a distinct flavor, much like thyme, but with a slight aniseed taste. Ajwain is used to flavor a variety of dishes, from curries to breads and even beverages. In addition to its culinary uses, it has a long history of medicinal uses, such as treating digestive problems, relieving pain, and even fighting off parasites. This blog post will explore the many uses of ajwain, both in cooking and in traditional medicine. We’ll discuss some of the health benefits associated with this spice, and provide some tips on how to incorporate it into your diet. Finally, we’ll give you some recipe ideas to get you started on your ajwain journey.
What is Ajwain called in different languages?
Bishops weed resembles dill plant. Bishop’s weed has been cultivated in India from ancient times. The dry seeds yield from the herb are known as ajowan seeds. These greenish brown colour seeds are aromatic, sharp, tingling and slightly bitter. The bishop’s weed yields 2 – 3% essential oil in which thymol is present to the extent of 35-60%. Thymol crystallises easily form the oil, and sold in India as flowers of ajowan – ajowan ka phul. The leaves of the plant are used as a vermicide and roots also gives diuretic and carminative effect.
- Scientific Binomial: Trachyspermum ammi
- Ayurvedic: Yavaani / Yamaani / Yavaanikaa / Yamaanikaa / Dipyaka
- Unani: Nankhwaah / Desi Ajawaayin
- Common English: Bishops Weed / Ajowan / Carom Seeds / Lovage / Carum / Ammi / Lovage / Kammun
- Sanskrit: Ajamoda / Ajamodika / yavani / yamanika
- Hindi / Urdu: Ajwain
- Bengali: Jowan / Juvani
- Marathi: Ova
- Telugu: omaan / vamu / Omami / Omamu
- Tamil: Oman / Aman
- Gujarati: Yavano / Ajoma
- Kannada: ajamoola / oma / omu / ajamoda
- Malayalam: Ayamodagam / Thymol seeds
- Oriya: Juani
- Punjabi / Sindhi: Lodhar / Jawain
- Assamese: Jain
- Kashmiri: Jawind
- Konkani: Ovo / Owa
- Manipuri: Kemoi
- Dogri:
- Bhojpuri: Ajwain
Ajowan Seeds Health Benefits for Common Ailments
- Ajowan seeds is an effective herb in to help alleviate nasal stuffiness. One common and simple way to use ajowan seeds is to simply take the seeds and make a sachet out of them. Hold the sachet close to your nose and inhale deeply. Keep the sachet with you throughout the day and inhale as needed. You may also sleep with the ajowan seed sachet on your pillow to provide you with relief during the night. For infants a small pouch can be pinned to their dress under the chin when they are sleeping. For adults same effect can be gained by inhaling vapors made by adding seeds into the boiling water.
- Ajwain has been used in indigenous medicine treatment of various digestive disorders – flatulence and indigestion. To expel stomach gas, eat the seeds with betel leaves. A teaspoon of seeds with a little rock salt is a household remedy for indigestion and gas formation. For indigestion, a tablespoon of seeds can be boiled in a liter of water and this water drunk after adding a pinch of black salt. For stomachache, the seeds are masticated, swallowed and followed by a glass of hot water. To treat pharyngitis in influenza, a pinch of seeds can be chewed with common salt and clove.
- The mixture of seeds and buttermilk is effective home remedy for relieving difficult expectoration caused by dried phlegm. Ajowan seeds are very effective to treat bronchitis, asthma and other respiratory diseases as it is a mucus clearing spice. A decoction is useful for lung abscess and tuberculosis. To make this, bring a glass of water to boil. Add 1 teaspoon each of fenugreek seed and ajwain seeds in boiling water and boil on small flame for half an hour. Add honey and 30 ml of this decoction and try taking 3 times a day to see the effect.
- To reduce severity of cholera, try giving drink made with ajwain and caraway seeds. Bring a water to boil. Add ajwain seeds, caraway seeds, little black salt, and mint. Boil for few more minutes. Drink this at regular intervals.
- Smoke or sniff ajwain seeds to get relief in migraine headache.
- For earache, boil 30 ml of milk and then add 1/2 teaspoon of seeds in milk. Let the milk get permeated by seeds. Let it cool and strain. Use filtered milk as ear drops to decrease congestion and to get relief from pain. To make ear drops for the earache caused by boils, boil 40 gms of sesame oil with 3 gm of ajwain seeds and 3 gm of garlic. Let it boil till oil turns red. Strain the oil and cool it to use as ear drops.
- Applying poultice of bishops leaves on insects bites helps to heal the itching fast. For muscular pain, massage the affected area with coconut oil in which ajwain seeds are fried.
- For relieving colic pain, paste some bisop’s seed and apply locally to get quick relief. Try a pinch of pain bishop seeds along with jaggery as a folk medicine to prevent indigestion and gastro-intestinal infection after child birth. Here is one remedy for flatulence. Soak 1 teaspoon each of ajwain seeds and dried ginger powder in 2 1/2 teaspoon of lime juice. Let this mixture dry and then powder it with little black salt. Try taking 2 gm of powder with warm water to treat stomach flatulence.
Nutritional Value and Calories Chart of Bishops Weed
Ajwain is a popular spice used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines. It is a small, round, slightly bitter seed that has a strong, pungent aroma. The nutritional value of ajwain is quite impressive. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is a good source of iron, magnesium, potassium, and manganese. It also contains small amounts of calcium and phosphorus. Ajwain contains numerous essential oils, including thymol, carvacrol, and limonene. These oils have been found to possess anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and anti-bacterial properties. Ajwain is also an excellent source of dietary fiber, with about 17% of its weight composed of dietary fiber. This makes it a great choice for those looking to increase their daily fiber intake. Ajwain is low in fat and calories, making it a healthy choice for weight loss. It is also low in sugar and carbohydrates. In conclusion, ajwain is an excellent choice for anyone looking to increase their fiber intake, improve their gut health, and reduce inflammation. It is also a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help to support overall health and wellness. The nutritional value of Ajwain per 100 grams is as follows:
- Calories: 375 kcal
- Protein: 19.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 56.5 g
- Fiber: 26 g
- Fat: 7.8 g
- Sugars: 2.2 g
- Sodium: 36 mg
- Calcium: 876 mg
- Iron: 23.4 mg
- Potassium: 1265 mg
- Vitamin C: 11.7 mg
- Vitamin A: 16 IU
Ajwain Tea, Ovum Water and Essential Oil
Ajwain oil in both the forms – pure and dethymolised – is used as antiseptic and aromatic carminative in India. Its action and uses are similar to thymol which is powerful antiseptic and finds varied application in medicine. Try 1-3 drops of ajwain essential oil for gas formation and indigestion. “Ovum water” is one of the famous remedy for colic. It is the water distilled from the seeds and is excellent carminative that can be used beneficially to relieve flatulence. It is antispasmodic in colic and flatulent dyspepsia. The oil works best for rheumatic and neuralgic pains. Just apply on affected part to get relief. To treat hardness of voice due to shouting or cold, try seed infusion mixed with common salt for gargling purpose. It is also effective for pharyngitis, sore and congested throat. To treat skin conditions like – scabies, ringworm, syphilis, utricaria and psoriasis – apply a paste made with 1 part seeds and 1/2 part turmeric powder.